Tributes to valued members

Services honour active community member

Radio Operator had shown the nation its history on Bicentennial tour.

Malcolm Webber is greatly missed not only by his fellow volunteers at Marine Rescue Forster-Tuncurry but also by the members of other Great Lakes emergency services to which he also belonged.

An active member of the local community, Mal gave his time to numerous organisations, including the State Emergency Service and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter. Members of all three services formed a Guard of Honour after his funeral service.

Born in 1939 in Punchbowl in Sydney, Mal joined the ForsterTuncurry unit in 2015, serving as an enthusiastic, conscientious radio operator. He particularly enjoyed Logging On vessels, talking to passing skippers and boat crew and interacting with his fellow volunteers. He also did not hesitate to offer his services to the fundraising team, spending many shifts selling raffle tickets, always with a cheery greeting and a welcome word.

He said one of the greatest jobs of his life was as a crew member on the 1988 Bicentenary Travelling Exhibition, covering 34 cities and country towns across Australia.

The exhibition gave Australians the chance to view items from the nation’s history that were rarely seen outside capital city museums and galleries, like a suit of armour worn by a member of the Kelly Gang, a scale model of First Fleet ship HMS Sirius, a large selection of Aboriginal art and a set of Arthur Boyd’s masterpieces. Mal’s five-year-old grandson joined him in the cabin of his Kenworth truck on the journey billed as the “greatest roadshow ever to circle Australia”.

A train enthusiast and avid model train collector, Mal was especially enamoured of the beautifully restored steam engine, 3801, known as the Newcastle Flyer, that conveyed passengers between Newcastle and Sydney. Restored by the State Rail Authority, it visited every mainland capital accessible by rail during the Bicentenary celebrations, accompanying the Flying Scotsman for much of its tour across Australia. The locomotive returned to service in March but sadly, Mal did not live to see it.

He is survived by two of his three daughters, four grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and 11 nieces

Malcolm Webber.

and nephews.

Unit Commander David Gibson said at Mal’s funeral: “Marine Rescue members feel we have lost a kind, gentle soul, a conscientious worker and a true friend. Rest in peace, Mal, you’ll be greatly missed.”

Wendy Donellan

Ballina mourns longest-serving volunteer

Kevin shared his knowledge willingly as he mentored new generations.

Members of Marine Rescue Ballina remember our longestserving member as welcoming, courtly and kindly willing to share his knowledge and experience.

Kevin Thompson served for more than three decades as a member of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association and Marine Rescue NSW.

His service on the water can be traced back to 1989 and in 2008, Kevin was awarded his Search and Rescue Coordination Centre Duty Officer accreditation. He continued his service when the Coast Guard made the transition to MRNSW.

Our members are grateful not only for Kevin’s commitment to his radio operations duties but also his generosity in training and mentoring new volunteers.

As the unit’s training officer between 2013 and 2015, Kevin mentored and guided many “generations” of members through various roles.

Many of us fondly recall being entertained and fascinated as he regaled us with stories of his years in the Navy.

As a unit, we feel privileged to have known and spent time with Kevin. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.

Kath Begley

Kevin Thompson.

Coxswain’s cheery disposition fondly recalled

Volunteers from Marine Rescue Narooma were saddened to hear of the passing of their former longterm colleague Dennis Cox.

Dennis joined the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in the 1990s and remained with MRNSW for many years after its formation in 2009, along with his wife Gayle.

Dennis was a diesel mechanic by trade and a skilled Coxswain.

His cheery disposition at sea in any conditions will be remembered by all the crews who headed out with him.

Dennis’ mechanical skills were invaluable during his time as Boat Master on the unit’s former RNLI Waveney Class lifeboat and the 40 foot jet-powered ex-cray fishing boat that operated until 2008.

Dennis will be fondly remembered by all who knew and sailed with him.

Kerry McDonnell

Phillip’s quiet humour, stories will be missed

Tuross farewells hard-working member. Kayaker impressed with diligent service

‘I feel very protected by your actions.’

It was with great sadness that members of MR Tuross learnt of the death of our unit member Phillip Watson.

Phillip, who had recently turned 65, joined the unit in 2018.

Keen to help out and increase his skills, he completed the two-year Coxswain’s course at Moruya TAFE.

Phillip was a hard-working, reliable and jovial member of our unit. We will miss his quiet humour, broad grin and great stories.

Whenever Phillip said, “That reminds me of a story…” we gathered around to listen as we knew there would be a good laugh.

Twelve members of MR Tuross, along with Monaro Regional Operations Manager Glenn Sullivan, formed a guard of honour at Phillip’s funeral at Broulee Cemetery.

The chapel was full, with many people spilling outside. Unit Commander Alan Blessington spoke on behalf of our unit.

With Phillip’s wife Julie reading a poem and his four adult children and many grandchildren speaking, we learnt of his passion for his work as a professional turf groundsman, of his joy in travelling as a transport driver and his love of his footy team, his family and MR Tuross.

Our sympathy goes to Julie and their large and loving family.

Vale, Phillip, you will be greatly missed.

Ilze Svarcs

MR Tuross members form a guard of honour. Coxswain Phillip Watson.

CALLAGHANS

MARINE SERVICES

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Located @ Fenwicks Marina, 31 Brooklyn Rd, Brooklyn NSW 2083 P: 02 9985 7885 | F: 02 9985 7991 E: info@callaghansmarine.com.au | W: www.callaghansmarine.com.au On Sunday, 18th April I was late returning from a kayaking trip.

I had registered with your app and after recovering from a long arduous day was most impressed with the diligence of your follow-up when I was overdue.

From my side I saw or heard about (a) voicemail message left on my mobile phone, phone calls to my contacts (and) police arriving at Apple Tree Bay as we were loading my kayak on to its trailer.

I feel very protected by your actions and thank you sincerely for your follow through. You may be interested in the story that led to my late return:

I had been out paddling on the ocean in my ocean kayak Blue Moon on Saturday and parked for the night about 10 kilometres South East of Barrenjoey. The weather forecast was very light SE breezes, so I should have drifted whilst sleeping closer to Barrenjoey.

Instead, the EA current drifted me 20km toward the SE, and a long way further from making Apple Tree Bay by my landing time on Sunday evening. I only travel at about 4km/h. My original plan was 6pm at Apple Tree Bay.

Instead, I had only reached Barrenjoey by about 5pm with four hours-plus paddling still to go.

At that point, I retrieved my mobile and app in a safe dry place to make a later rendezvous time off the water. I reached Apple Tree Bay, slowly and close to my time limit.

At the boat ramp, I found there was no mobile reception, so I was unable to log off the app, at least until I got out of the valley.

By that time the police had checked in on my wellbeing.

My intention is reinforced to try to avoid creating fuss, whilst still being most appreciative that you do care when things don’t go to plan.

Dr Richard Barnes

Paddington

April 29

Volunteers there in time of great distress

On May 25, our boat, Begonia, was in distress and issued a Mayday call from the Tweed bar as our situation worsened.

This letter is sent to express our sincere gratitude at the support and assistance we received from this amazing volunteer group (Marine Rescue Point Danger) both in managing our Mayday calls and in assisting us to the dock once safely back into the river when we were without power or steering.

While I understand that the following listed members were all involved in coming to our assistance (by radio or by boat), we also understand that this could not have been done without many, many others: John Bullock, Graham Challender, Glen Hatton, Christopher Quinn (and) Keith Smith.

The Volunteer Marine Rescue system, which we have always been impressed by and grateful of, now especially so as it was there for us in a time of great need and distress.

With sincere and humble thanks to all involved.

Kyle and Maryanne Webb

Begonia - US catamaran

June 1